Luggage lock



July 7, 1925. 1.5 4.995

s. LACHER LUGGAGE LOCK Filed Jan. 15, 1925 I'VE-"TOR Samoa. LACHER "5w Aha l TTORIIEI' Patented July 7, 1925.

' UNITED? STATES SAMUEL LACHER, OF NEW YORK, .11. Y.

LUGGAGE LOCK.

Application filed January 13, 1925.

To all whom it may concerns zen of the United States, residing at New York city, New York, has invented a new and useful Improvement in Luggage Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hardware for hand bags, luggage and the like, and has particular reference to the lock and associated parts therefor. v

The common type of lock used for holding the frames of a bag together usually comprises a lock and catch combined, the latter being used merely to snap the two frames of the bag together. In order to release the catch, the lock is provided with a slidable portion, which is exposed on top of the frame, and which slides to one side to release the other frame. Ordinarily, a suitable plate is placed over the catch and is provided with an opening to receive the slidable portion therethrough, but it has been found in all designs that the slide projects above the plate and may very easily be released if brought into contact with a moving object, whereupon the frame is accidentally opened. This has a decided disadvantage, as may be readily appreciated, and it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide guarding means for the slidable' portion of the lock whereby the latter, may be guarded against being brought into contact with anything passing over the bag and at the same time readily accessible for the finger of any one desiring to release the catch.

I accomplish this object by means of certain improvements in the construction of a guard plate which is to be placed over the lock proper, and which is illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of my im proved guard plate partly in section, showing its relative position with respect to the lock and catch proper. Figures 2 and 3 are plan and longitudinal sectional views, respectively, of the guard plate; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bag showing the hardware as it appears on the frame.

Referring to the drawing, 10 denotes a Serial No. 2,164.

bag having the usual collapsible frame 11 and hardware comprising side catches 12 and lock 13.

The lock 13 in the present case comprises an inverted T-shaped member 14, which is rigidly attached to one member of the frame 11 and which is provided with a sliding cap 15 disposed over the end of the upright stem portion 16 of the member 14. As is well known, this slide controls a hook or other engaging means adapted to attach itself toa keeper carried by the other member of the frame 11 to hold the mouth of the bag in closed position without employing the lock. According to-this construction, the catch is released by sliding the cap 15 longitudinally thereof over the end of the stem 16, to the dotted positions shown in Figures 2 and 3.

A desirable finish is given to the lock hardware by a guard plate 17 which comprises a channel member the upright flanges 18 of which are segmentally shaped pieces disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the cap 15 which projects through an opening 19 in the center of the plate 17 It will be noted particularly that the height of flanges 18 at their midportion and that of the cap 15 correspond so that in order to shift the cap to operate the catch it is necessary to place the fingers between the said flanges 18 at opposite ends of the cap. A guard plate of this design not only prevents the slide from being accidentally shifted, but keeps the cap aligned and therefore prolongs the life of the lock and catch.

It will not be necessary to illustrate and describe the detail mechanisms which go to make up the lock, because such mechanisms are well known. However, it might be well to mention that the slide 15 usually is provided with the key hole 20 to receive a key for operating the locking device carried in the body of the lock 13.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. In combination, a lock for a bag of the character described, comprising a relatively movable cap and a superposed guard therefor having upright flanges projecting to the height of said cap.

A guard plate for the sliding cap of a catch of the character described, comprising a channel piece, the upright flanges of Which are segmentally shaped.

3. In combination, a lock and catch for the frame of a bag, comprising a slidable cap projecting outwardly from the lock for operating the catch, and a guard plate superposed over said lock and having an opening to receive the cap therethrough and upright flanges disposed longitudinally there- 10 name to this specification, this 30th day of 15 December 1924.

SAMUEL LACHER. 

